Let me ask you a question.

Have you ever noticed that the harder you push, the more resistance you feel?

You’re gripping your leadership tighter... but nothing is moving.

You're speaking with more force... but your team seems to be listening less.

You’re putting in more hours... but getting back less clarity, less creativity, and definitely less joy.

This is the story we've been sold.

It's the myth that's been handed down to every ambitious, capable leader. We call it grit. We call it hustle. We call it strength.

We call it Pushing Through.

But what if it's a trap?

What if the very strategy you're using to succeed is the one that's quietly dismantling your well-being, your connection to your team, and your love for the work itself?

What if the solution isn't found in applying more force... but in finding exactly where to release it?

In this podcast we are dismantling The Myth of Pushing Through. We'll explore the neuroscience of why it keeps you stuck, and how the timeless wisdom of the horse can show us a more powerful, more present way to lead.

Connect with Merinda:


Instagram: @IamMerindaSmith

Website: www.merindasmith.com.au

Are you constantly feeling stretched, taking on more than your fair share, or solving problems your team members should be handling?

This episode of "The Reins of Leadership" dives deep into a common leadership pitfall: working harder than your team, instead of empowering them to step up. We explore what enabling truly looks like in a leadership context, the role of boundaries in accountability and growth, and the difference between genuine, respect-driven leadership and detrimental people-pleasing.

If you're ready to shift the dynamic and cultivate a more capable, independent team, this episode is for you. Plus, stick around for five powerful realignment questions to help you reflect and reclaim your energy.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

Recognising Enabling Behaviours: Identify the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways leaders inadvertently enable their teams, leading to over-functioning and team under-performance.

The Power of Boundaries: Why clear boundaries are not about being harsh, but about creating clarity, respect, and enabling sustainable leadership.

People-Pleasing vs. Authentic Leadership: The difference between seeking approval and leading with integrity and mutual respect, even when it means having tough conversations.

The Cost of Over-Functioning: How taking on too much can impact your energy, team morale, productivity, and the overall development of your team members.

Key Takeaways:

🌸 Recognise your own patterns of enabling or people-pleasing is the first step for change.

🌸 Clear boundaries protect your energy and empower your team to grow.

🌸 Develop your team's capabilities rather than doing the work for them.

🌸 Courageous Conversations Create Clarity.

🌸 Lead with Respect, Not for Applause.

Connect with Merinda:


Instagram: @IamMerindaSmith

Website: www.merindasmith.com.au

What if the key to truly effective leadership isn't about saying more, but about communicating with clarity - often saying less and showing up with a calm, focused presence?

In today’s episode of The Reins of Leadership, we explore a powerful, often unspoken, dimension of leadership: the messages your team receives beyond your words. Drawing wisdom from the honest feedback of horses, we uncover how your energy, intention, and non-verbal cues shape your team's experience and performance.

This conversation was inspired by a recent workshop, where the principles of effective communication and influence kept pointing back to the lessons learned in the paddock. Horses don't lie; they mirror your clarity, your energy, and your deepest intentions.

🔑 In this episode, we unpack:

• The Power of Clear Cues: Why, just like with horses, your team needs unambiguous signals. Discover how misalignments between your words, actions, and energy can create confusion, and learn to deliver your message with precision.

o Reflect: When was the last time your "unspoken" message might have contradicted your words?

• Leading with Calm Energy: Understand the energetic atmosphere you cultivate and its direct impact on team safety, trust, and innovation. Learn how to be the steady anchor, even in turbulent times.

o Reflect: What kind of energetic wake do you leave behind in your team interactions?

• The Compass of Intention: Explore why your underlying purpose as a leader matters profoundly. We discuss how to clarify your intention so it authentically guides your actions and resonates with your team.

o Reflect: Is your core leadership intention clear to you? More importantly, is it palpable to your team?

• Reading the Room (and the Herd): Moving beyond just "delivering" information to truly tuning into your team’s unspoken feedback. Learn to lead responsively by developing your emotional intelligence.

o Reflect: Are you truly listening to what your team isn't saying, or just performing in front of them?

The Core Lesson:

Effective leadership is less about control and more about congruence. It’s not about pushing harder, but about showing up more consciously. By mastering your clear cues, calm energy, focused intention, and your ability to read your "herd," you build trust, create psychological safety, and unlock your team's true potential.

Join us as we shift from "herding cats" to moving in harmony with the herd. This episode is your invitation to realign how you lead from within.

Connect with Merinda:


Instagram: @IamMerindaSmith

Website: www.merindasmith.com.au

Have you ever faced a moment so dark and difficult you didn’t know if you’d make it through?
What if you discovered that strength, guidance—even miracles—can show up in the most unexpected ways?
You’ve been pushing, striving, surviving... but it’s still not working the way you hoped.

Have you ever been there—stuck, exhausted, and unsure what’s next?

We’ve all been there in one form or another - up against something that feels too big to overcome.

On this week’s episode, Kenny Barnwell shares a powerful and personal journey of survival, resilience, and purpose. Imagine growing up in a world without spoken words, then finding your way to standing beside some of the biggest names in entertainment, Kenny’s path is anything but ordinary.

And then there’s the moment that changed everything — a life-threatening experience in Mexico that tested his courage, and his inner compass. What do we discover about ourselves when everything’s on the line?

And it’s not just a survival story.
If you’ve ever experienced burnout, felt stuck in your journey, or needed a sign to keep going...
If you’re looking for tangible tools mixed with a deeper sense of purpose...
If you’re trying to lead with more resilience, impact, and heart, this episode will shift your perspective and restore your hope.

Topics we cover:

• What mental toughness really looks like
• Breaking big challenges into small, winnable goals
• When divine guidance meets practical grit
• The power of service and why Kenny now gives it all away
• How to access strength - even when you feel alone

This episode is your reminder:
You’re stronger than you think. And help might be closer than you realise.

Links

www. FollowTheButterflyBook.com

kennybarnwell.com

crewspire - youtube

Connect with Merinda:


Instagram: @IamMerindaSmith

Website: www.merindasmith.com.au

Have you ever found yourself avoiding being too direct with your team, worried that clarity might come off as harsh?

What if your softness - your care, empathy, and gentle nature wasn’t the problem… but the lack of structure around it was?

You’ve been trying to lead from the heart, but it’s not working the way you hoped… and your team might be feeling it too.

Can you relate?
🌸 Have you ever struggled to balance being kind with being clear?
🌸 Does the idea of soft leadership sometimes leave you second-guessing your impact?

We get it.
Leading with warmth matters deeply - but without boundaries, even the best intentions can create confusion.

You’re not alone in this.

On this week’s episode, Merinda unpacks the surprising truth about softness in leadership, and why it’s only half the story.

And it’s not just about being nice or setting firm rules...
Her insights from the horses reveal how true softness actually requires structure.
Plus, we’re unpacking how to correct gently, lead clearly, and still show up with heart.

If you’ve ever avoided a hard conversation to “keep the peace,” this episode is for you.
If you’ve been searching for a way to lead with empathy and effectiveness, you’ll find exactly what you need here.

If you’re trying to build deep trust and powerful results—this episode will show you how to align softness with strength.

🌸 Episode Highlights:

• The unexpected ways softness without structure creates anxiety
• “Be clear before you’re kind” and why clarity is the true foundation of compassionate leadership
• A gentle approach to course-correcting early so you build confidence, not confusion, in your team

🌸 Ready to realign your leadership?

If you’re in leadership navigating the tension between heart-led connection and strategic clarity, The Leadership Realignment Session is your next step.

This 1:1 coaching experience helps you step into leadership that feels both authentic and effective.

Book your session today via this link - https://merindasmith.podia.com/aligned_success

Connect with Merinda:


Instagram: @IamMerindaSmith

Website: www.merindasmith.com.au

Ever find yourself over-correcting others work, or do you feel the urge to constantly check in on your team, dictate how tasks are done, or even redo their projects? You've been setting up for success, but your instinct to control the minutiae might actually be hindering the outcome.

Does that anxious feeling of needing to make sure everything is perfect, resonate with you? Have you ever been there?

We get it… it often comes from a place of good intentions and a desire for the best results. Many of us have fallen into the micromanagement trap, thinking we’re ensuring success when we might be unintentionally creating new problems.

On this week’s episode, your host, Merinda, unpacks the surprising and powerful parallels between micromanaging your horse over jumps or poles and micromanaging your staff in the workplace.

And it’s not just about "bad riding" or "bad management." Merinda shares a personal insight from a recent jumping lesson, that beautifully illustrates the core issue. The reasons behind micromanaging – often rooted in fear and a lack of trust – are strikingly similar in both arenas, and the solutions might be simpler than you think. Plus, we’re unpacking how this impacts everything from a horse's confidence to your team's morale and creativity.

If you’ve ever experienced frustration despite your best efforts, or a disengaged team despite your constant input, then this episode is for you. If you’ve been looking for ways to build more trust with your employees, this is exactly what you need to hear. If you’re trying to achieve smoother-running projects, this episode will reveal how letting go can lead to better results.

Highlights include:

• What over-adjusting your reins before a jump and constantly overseeing your team’s tasks have in common (and why this instinct often backfires, leading to confusion and poorer performance).
• An enlightening jumping lesson , revealing how observing a rider over simple poles can expose tendencies towards micromanagement and the power of trusting your partner.
• Actionable strategies to "soften the reins" both literally and figuratively – practical steps you can take right now to build confidence, independence, and improve outcomes.

Connect with Merinda:


Instagram: @IamMerindaSmith

Website: www.merindasmith.com.au

Is your star player always saying "yes," taking on more, and smiling through it all? What if that incredible willingness is masking deep stress, putting them on a collision course with burnout... or worse, an unexpected exit? Too many leaders miss the subtle signs until it's too late.

In this episode of The Reins of Leadership, we step into the arena to understand the "Eager Pleaser" – that invaluable team member whose desire to do right might be pushing them to their breaking point.

Key Takeaways:

• Look beyond the 'yes' for hidden stress.
• Understand fear often drives over-pleasing.
• Create safety for honesty before breakdown.
• Model healthy boundaries yourself.

If this conversation about hidden pressures, sustainable success, and leading with authentic presence resonates deeply – especially if you see the "eager pleaser" in yourself or feel the weight of ensuring your team thrives without burning out – then The Leadership Realignment Session is your next powerful step.

This isn't just another coaching call. It’s a dedicated 1:1 experience designed for successful women leaders like you who are ready to:

• Break free from the cycle of overwhelm and constant output.
• Lead with genuine self-trust, presence, and unshakeable purpose.
• Realign your inner world with your outer success, creating impact without the internal cost.

Stop managing symptoms and start addressing the core. It's time to lead from a place of grounded power and authentic connection.
➡️ Book Your Leadership Realignment Session & Transform Your Approach: https://merindasmith.podia.com/aligned_success

Connect with Merinda:


Instagram: @IamMerindaSmith

Website: www.merindasmith.com.au

Have you ever felt stuck, applying the same leadership approaches but not getting the results you want? Or maybe you've achieved success on paper, yet feel something is missing?

This episode explores Transformational Learning – a process of changing how you see the world, yourself, and your role as a leader. Discover the 'lens shift' – that moment when the familiar looks entirely new because you have changed from within.

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

• Understand the difference between adding knowledge (informative learning) and upgrading your internal 'operating system' (transformational learning), based on the work of Jack Mezirow.
• Learn how challenges and discomfort can be powerful catalysts for deep reflection and growth.
• Hear the story of Mark, an experienced rider, and Jade, a sensitive horse. Discover how their interactions in the paddock became an unexpected classroom.

Feeling the gap between external achievement and internal fulfillment? As mentioned in the episode, grab your FREE 'Secret to Success Guide' to define meaningful success and build a leadership style that truly resonates.
Download Your Free Guide Here - https://merindasmith.com.au/free-resources/

Connect with Merinda:


Instagram: @IamMerindaSmith

Website: www.merindasmith.com.au